Angélique Kidjo makes history with Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Kidjo, a five-time Grammy Award winner from the West African nation of Benin, is among 35 honourees named in the Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026.

The 64-year-old was described as Africa’s “premier diva” during a press conference announcing the latest inductees on Wednesday.

Other names set to be honoured with a star on Los Angeles’ renowned boulevard include singer Miley Cyrus, actor Timothée Chalamet, actress Demi Moore, and former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal.

Kidjo receives this recognition after more than four decades in music and the release of 16 albums. She has captivated global audiences with her powerful voice and a signature sound that blends West African musical traditions with funk, jazz and R&B.

Her impressive list of collaborators includes notable artists such as Burna Boy, Philip Glass, Sting, and Alicia Keys.

She now joins Charlize Theron, a white South African actress who received her star in 2005, as one of the few African-born figures represented on the Walk of Fame, which features over 2 700 stars.

The date of Kidjo’s star unveiling has yet to be confirmed. Once selected, honourees have up to two years to schedule their induction ceremonies.

Born and raised in Benin, Kidjo relocated to Paris in 1983, citing political oppression under the country’s then-communist regime.

“From the moment the communist regime arrived in Benin, I became aware that the freedom we enjoy can be snatched away in a second,” she told the BBC in 2023.

She recalled a lifelong curiosity that has shaped her journey, saying: “my nickname was ‘when, why, how?’. I want to understand things, to understand my place in this world.”

Before launching her solo career with the 1990 album Parakou, Kidjo worked as a backing singer in France.

In addition to her musical accomplishments, she serves as a goodwill ambassador for both UNICEF and Oxfam, and runs her own charity, Batonga, which supports the education of young girls across Africa.